I tried to watch a remembrance documentary for the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina #K10. I just couldn’t keep my eyes from welling up with tears. My experience was different than most, I had only moved to Louisiana a year before “the storm.” There just wasn’t enough time in my busy collegiate schedule to anchor my heart into the rich culture and incredible people of South Louisiana. I hadn’t yet sunk my teeth into a Harry’s Shrimp Po’boy, or enjoyed a perfect fish platter at Mommie Jo’s. I hadn’t had anyone patiently explain what a “Parran” is, or what is means to be “all Boude’.” Now, ten years later, my heart is moored on the bayou. As a counselor I have worked through so much of the pain and damage that will never be shown on TV. I have helped hurting people try to make sense out of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. This week’s remembrances are so much more moving to me today because now it’s about my home, instead of where I chose to go back to school.
Truth isn’t something you learn, but Someone you know. And the truth will set you free.
We are exploring highlights from How to Live Right When You’re Life Goes Wrong, by Leslie Vernick. This week we will learn some of the many ways to make sense of a broken world.
Why? The Reason for Trials and Troubles:
[7] “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? [8] As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. (Job 4:7-8 ESV)
“Job had a few friends who thought they knew why Job’s troubles began. They sought to counsel him, sadly adding more grief to Job’s already heavy heart. Sometimes we think we can explain the ways of God to troubled hearts. . . We say things like ‘God is disciplining you. There must be some unconfessed sin in your life.’ Or ‘If only you prayed harder and had more faith, God would answer you.’ This kind of remark tends to increase a person’s pain.” (pg. 31) . . . “Answers are helpful but not always comforting. The Lord and his people, not answers, comfort us” (pg. 32) Describe a time of effective comforting in your life. “We need to be careful when we minister to others not to substitute simplistic answers for real caring. That said, let’s consider a few reasons why trouble enters life.” (pg. 32)
The Eternal Battle for Our Devotion – Whom Will We Trust? Whom Will We Love?:
“The constant taunt of Satan toward God is this: Your people don’t love you for you; they just love you because you’re good to them. Take that away and they will curse you. God allowed Satan to test Job to prove that wasn’t true. Would you pass the test?” . . . Our circumstances may not be as dramatic as Job’s, but the bottom line is the same: If you lost everything, would God be enough?” (pg. 33) (or, when you lost so much in Katrina and Rita, was God enough?)
Jeremiah endured an extremely difficult calling from God. In Lamentations Chapter 3, Jeremiah cries out in frustration and praise. Most of us have felt that way at one time or another.
[22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [23] they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV)
Sin – Both Our Own and Others:
“Since sin entered the world, mankind has been plagued with troubles, both as the consequences of our own sins and as the result of other’s sins. Sometimes we think we can sin and not reap the painful consequences. At times it seems like we do get away with it. But God’s Word is clear: (pg. 35)
[7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 ESV)
“How can we believe God loves us when he allows people to sin against us? What do we say to the family whose teenage daughter was killed by a drunk driver or to the mother whose only son was paralyzed by a stray bullet? . . . No answer would provide much comfort. Only in our personal relationship with Jesus will we find any comfort during times of suffering because we know the he, too, suffered because of other’s sins. (pg. 35) From the beginning of time, however, God has given people free will. As a result, it would be contrary to God’s plan to take away our choice to sin – even if it hurts his children, as it did his very own son.” (pg. 36)
A Broken World:
“Often trials and troubles come from everyday situations that are the result of living in an imperfect world. Earthquakes and tornadoes bring devastation. Appliances and automobiles breakdown at the most inconvenient times. Accidents that can’t be blamed on anyone impact lives forever. . . . Instead of asking why, which limits us to a temporal perspective, a more productive question is to ask, ‘What is God doing in me through the troubles he allows in my life?’ “(pg. 36)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
What are some of the ways the Lord has “worked together for good” in the aftermath of seemingly relentless trials in our region?
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